Chapter 239

That afternoon, Scent of Spring delivered a batch of porcelain cups to the shop. 

Once the two carriages finished unloading, Miss Ying'er received the payment but did not leave immediately. Instead, she went inside the shop to find Xia Zhi. 

"Mr. Xia, congratulations on the shop expansion." 

"Thank you." 

"Now that the shop has expanded, you must be considering hiring new employees, right?" 

"Hmm…" 

Xia Zhi was momentarily taken aback but then nodded. 

"I have been thinking about it, but…" 

"What do you think about me?" 

"Hm? Miss Ying'er, what do you mean by that?" 

"If possible, I'd like to join your Summer Shop." 

"You don't want to continue working at Scent of Spring?" 

"That's right, I want to try a new job." 

Ying'er looked at him expectantly. 

Xia Zhi chuckled and said, "If Miss Ying'er wants to join, I'd certainly welcome you. But unlike Scent of Spring, our shop doesn't have sales commissions…" 

Ying'er immediately replied, "I don't care about commissions. As long as I get two days off per week, that's all that matters. That way, I'll have time to do what I want." 

"So that's what you're after…" 

"Yes." 

"Alright then, when would you like to start?" 

"I'll go resign as soon as I get back! I can start tomorrow!" 

"There's no need to rush." 

"Your shop just expanded, so you need more hands. It's better if I start earlier." 

"That's very considerate of you. Where do you live now?" 

"Over in Chihu Rock—I bought a small house there." 

"You must have quite some savings." 

"I've saved a little over the years, and houses in Chihu Rock aren't too expensive." 

"Chihu Rock is a nice place to live… Our shop also provides accommodations. If you don't want to commute every day, you can stay here on workdays." 

"That sounds great!" 

"As for your salary and benefits, all employees are treated equally. The monthly salary is 10,000 Mora, with additional bonuses, two days off per week, and working hours from nine to five." 

"No problem!" 

"Then after you resign, we'll sign the contract." 

"Alright!" 

Ying'er left happily. 

Xia Zhi watched her retreating figure, finding the situation amusing. 

His cousin was living alone in the adjacent shop—it must get lonely. Finding her such an interesting new roommate would surely make her happy. 

---

Xia Zhi had assumed Ying'er would start work the next day, but to his surprise, she returned that evening with a pile of belongings. 

"Miss Ying'er, you've already wrapped up your previous job?" 

"Yep! Everything's settled!" 

"A talent like you—Scent of Spring must've tried to keep you." 

"They offered to increase my base salary by 20%." 

"That's quite sincere." 

"It was, but that job was just too tiring. I'd rather work here." 

"Haha, Miss Ying'er, welcome aboard then." 

"Boss, I'll be in your care from now on!" 

"Zhu Zi! Diona! Help Miss Ying'er move her things upstairs. There are plenty of empty rooms on the second floor next door—feel free to pick one." 

"Got it!" 

After about ten minutes, Ying'er finished unpacking and came back downstairs. 

Xia Zhi took out an employment contract. 

"Miss Ying'er, this is our shop's contract, drafted by Miss Yanfei. Everyone signs the same agreement. Take a look and let me know if there's anything you can't accept—we can discuss the details." 

"Alright." 

Ying'er carefully read through the contract. Everything that had been promised was clearly written in black and white. 

"No problems." 

"Then let's sign." 

"Okay." 

They both signed their names and kept a copy each. 

Xia Zhi turned and said, "Zhu Zi, you and Diona go buy some ingredients. We'll make a feast tonight to welcome Miss Ying'er." 

"Got it, Boss!" 

Ying'er quickly waved her hands. "Boss, you don't have to go through so much trouble…" 

"It's no trouble at all. This is our tradition for welcoming new employees—it's part of our shop's culture." 

"I see…" 

"When new employees join in the future, you can help out as well." 

"Oh! Alright! Boss, just call me Ying'er." 

"Okay, then I'll call you Ying'er from now on. Moving in must have been tiring—sit and rest for a while. I'll make you a cup of [Rainbow Juice]." 

"Thank you, Boss!" 

"By the way, let me introduce you—see that young girl reading over there? She's my cousin, Xia Ci. She just moved in a couple of days ago, so you might not have met her yet." 

"I know! Zhu Zi told me earlier. Our rooms are right next to each other!" 

"That's good. Her health is a bit weak, so I might need you to take care of her sometimes." 

"Understood! Don't worry!" 

Once Zhu Zi returned with the groceries, Xia Zhi went into the kitchen to start preparing dinner. 

Some of the vegetables were slightly less fresh, but thanks to the [Eternal Spirit Knife], it wasn't an issue. 

Ying'er sat in the main hall, inhaling the mouthwatering aroma wafting from the kitchen. She couldn't help but swallow her saliva. 

When the table was finally filled with delicious dishes, Ying'er took one bite and immediately froze, just like the other girls did the first time they ate Xia Zhi's cooking. 

Except her reaction was even more intense. 

Because she had skipped the master-level experience and gone straight to a grandmaster-level meal. 

"Ying'er?" 

"Huh? Oh! Boss, your cooking is incredible!" 

"If you like it, eat more." 

"Mm!" 

Looking at the sumptuous spread, Ying'er suddenly realized—perhaps the biggest perk of this job wasn't the salary, but the free meals. 

As an ordinary girl, her usual appetite wasn't large—one bowl of food was usually enough. 

But tonight's meal was simply too delicious. She struggled but managed to eat half a bowl more than usual. 

Feeling completely stuffed, she regretfully put down her chopsticks and glanced around at the others: 

Zhu Zi, who was about the same size as her, was already on her third bowl. 

Diona, who was even smaller, was finishing her second. 

And Miss Chi Yu… was already on her fourth! 

Ying'er suddenly fell into deep thought. 

So… my battle power in the shop is at the bottom? 

After dinner, Shenhe and Diona handled the dishes. 

Zhu Zi leaned back in her chair, looking satisfied yet uncomfortable. "So full…" 

Ying'er looked at her and couldn't help but say, "Zhu Zi, you ate too much at night." 

Zhu Zi scratched her head sheepishly. "Actually, I eat this much every meal." 

"…?" 

Ying'er was shocked. 

"Then why don't you gain weight?" 

"Well… that's a secret~." 

"A secret?" 

"Come closer, I'll whisper it to you." 

Ying'er leaned in, and Zhu Zi whispered a few words into her ear. 

A moment later, Ying'er's expression turned strange. 

"There's… a weight-loss method like that?" 

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